The IAAF has decided to refer its dispute with USA Track and Field concerning the unidentified US athlete who competed at the Sydney Olympic Games to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

The IAAF has made repeated requests for USATF to disclose the name of the athlete and the reasons why the athlete was cleared of a doping offence prior to the Olympic Games in July 2000 but USATF has refused, citing the confidentiality provisions in the federation’s regulations and differing interpretations of the IAAF Rules.

‘We cannot continue to accept a stalemate over this case’ said the IAAF President, Lamine Diack. ‘It is time we brought this affair to an end and both IAAF and USATF feel that the Court of Arbitration for Sport is the appropriate forum to resolve our differences. Any CAS verdict will be accepted by the parties.’

For further information please contact:
IAAF
Nick Davies
T: +33 6 07 93 62 85